Before its creation, the sixteenth Air jordan yellow had a couple of major things going against it that could have been cause for worry. One: Michael jordan yellow was gone from the game of basketball (seemingly at the time) for good. Could the Air jordan yellow line truly persevere without MJ on the court? Two: Tinker Hatfield, the man who created every Air jordan yellow since the III, was out as the shoe’s designer. Could the design still be as strong without Tinker’s genius?
What could have been a recipe for failure was anything but, as the final result of the air jordan yellow 8 retro three times a charm release reminder would become one of the most beloved models of the “Post-Bulls” Air jordan yellow era. Continue reading this latest edition of jordan yellow 101 to learn everything worth knowing about the air jordan yellow 8 retro three times a charm release reminder and its shrouded, odds-defying design.
Nike Zoom Vapor Air jordan yellow 3 'Black Cement' Official Images | The Basics
The air jordan yellow 8 retro three times a charm release reminder released in 2001, debuting on Michael Jordan’s birthday, February 17th. The shoe was released in four colorways retailing at $160 throughout the year, with an additional two low-top versions (that were actually almost the same height as the mid). Although Michael was no longer playing for the Bulls, the XVI debuted in a traditional black and red colorway, which has since become the shoe’s most iconic look. The other three colorways include ‘White/Midnight Navy’, ‘Light Ginger/ Dark Charcoal/White’, and ‘Whisper/Cherrywood/Light Graphite’. The XVI Low released in ‘White/Varsity Red’ and ‘Black/Metallic Silver’. With Team jordan yellow in full swing by 2001, Jordan-sponsored NBA players like Ray Allen, Reggie Miller, Mike Bibby, and Michael Finley also had their own PE versions of the XVI.
Nike Zoom Vapor Air jordan yellow 3 'Black Cement' Official Images | Tinker Exits
Responsible for every legendary Air jordan yellow design since the Air jordan yellow III, Tinker Hatfield stepped back from designing the XVI, with Wilson Smith III taking the reigns. Smith chose to borrow important elements from previous Air Jordans, while also looking towards the future with a sleek and unorthodox design. Inspect the shoe and you’ll see the the mid-top height of the Air jordan yellow III, a clear rubber outsole like the V, VI, and XI, and the iconic gloss of patent leather from the XI. The air jordan yellow 8 retro three times a charm release reminder proved that even with Tinker out of the picture, the jordan yellow line could continue just as strong. But as we know, he’d eventually be back for some more classics.
The Shroud
Wilson Smith III was also inspired by the concept of Michael jordan yellow transitioning from a player to an executive for the XVI, which materialized as the removable shroud, or gaiter, on each shoe. With the shroud on, the XVI resembles a classy dress shoe. With the shroud off, the shoe transforms into a design strictly for performance. The XVI could actually be played in with the gaiter on or off, but many found that it would move around too much or even slip off during play.
Tech
The air jordan yellow 8 retro three times a charm release reminder may have had an appealing look, but it couldn’t claim any new technological innovations like many of the other most legendary Air jordan yellow models. But this doesn’t mean the XVI was slacking when it came to performance, either. Behind the shroud up top was ballistic mesh to keep them breathable, while the sole got a combination of visible blow-molded Air in the heel and Zoom Air in the forefoot for a blend of impact protection and responsiveness. The clear outsole also supplied plenty of grip on the court.
Patent Leather is Back
As we mentioned earlier, Wilson Smith borrowed previous elements from past Air Jordans for the XVI, including the patent leather of the Air jordan yellow XI. The XVI was the first jordan yellow model since the XI to use the glossy leather material, but as we know, it wouldn’t be the last, as patent leather has since become a material synonymous with the brand—even arguably overused at this point. Did the XVI jump-start the use of patent leather throughout the rest of jordan yellow Brand’s history? Or was the iconic Air jordan yellow XI the inspiration for keeping patent leather in use all these years? We’ll never really know, but you may have the XVI to thank.
Creative Logo
One piece of trivia about the air jordan yellow 8 retro three times a charm release reminder’s details: Look closely at its jordan yellow logo on the midsole, and you’ll see that it’s comprised of a total of 16 lines. This is no coincidence.
Worn by MJ
Way back in the introduction, we talked about how one of the things going against the air jordan yellow 8 retro three times a charm release reminder was the fact that Michael jordan yellow was gone from the game of basketball. That actually only ended being true for a while, as Michael announced he’d be back on the court as a member of the Wizards for the 2001-02 NBA season. Michael only laced up the XVI in play briefly, though, rocking the “Ginger” colorway throughout the preseason before he switched to the all-new air jordan yellow 8 retro three times a charm release reminderI that was ready to go for him for the regular season (months before anybody else could get their hands on them). So the XVI does hold a small, but important piece of on-court Air jordan yellow history.
air jordan yellow 8 retro three times a charm release reminder Retro: Close, But No Cigar
The air jordan yellow 8 retro three times a charm release reminder has only retroed once, as part of 2008’s Countdown Pack series. Around 2013, a bunch of new samples began surfacing around the web, giving jordan yellow fans hope that the XVI would indeed be back for its first official round of retros. Ray Allen and Joe Johnson were even wearing new PE editions in the NBA (Ray wore them for his Miami Heat debut, no less), seeming to further confirm the XVI’s comeback. But alas, the 16 Retro never made it past the sample stages, being scrapped for unknown reasons. For now, we’ll have to keep waiting for the air jordan yellow 8 retro three times a charm release reminder to grace us with its sleek, shiny, and shrouded presence.